She arrived at Valentine’s Day dinner thinking the night might be one she would remember forever. After seven years with her boyfriend, the expensive restaurant, the carefully planned reservation, and the special-occasion mood all seemed to point in one direction: a proposal.
For most of the evening, everything appeared to confirm that feeling. This was not one of their usual meals out. He had chosen a place far above their normal budget and treated the date as if it carried real meaning.
Then the server placed the bill on the table.
The total was $380. Instead of paying it, her boyfriend moved the check toward the middle and said they should split it evenly.